The South Downs were unusual in Sussex as they were the nearest the county had to ‘Pals’ battalions; this photo shows men of the 1st South Downs at Cooden Camp near Bexhill on Sea, during their training there in September 1914. At this stage there were very few uniforms and most men slept under canvas. Morale in this unit was very high; something that continued well after the war as the Old Comrades Association continued to meet until 1979 and the last South Downer died in the early 1990s.

Remembering with love my Great Uncles: William Walter FARNFIELD SD1315 and Vincent Charles AMEY SD1654. Worthing boys,12th Battalion. Both survived the war. Thanks Paul for all your research. It is appreciated by so many.